THE Portland Swimming Club is ready to ramp up its 2024 season with plenty of events in store as they look to continue building the sport locally.

The club hosted its first local meet for a number of years in 2023, and since it has scheduled some come and try events to offer an opportunity for those thinking about getting involved to test the waters.

After the departure of long time coach Paige Clay, the club has seen a strong contingent of swimmers step up in the role to fill the void, including former student Kayla Gorry.

Gorry has joined a group of new and experienced coaches including Claire Ward, Stevie Rudge, Emre Rulton and Matilda Andrews who are teaching around 30 kids each week in sessions across three days.

Gorry jumped back on board with the club in 2022 and said it has been a great experience to watch it grow after the impacts of COVID took their toll.

“I joined in term four in 2022 and started learning off Paige and coaching alongside her,” she said.

“I swam with the club when I was a teenager and also did some swim teaching in the United Kingdom when I was living over there, so when I came back to town I was really missing the pool and decided to get involved.

“I coached last year and again this year and we have a really good team of coaches.

“Claire is amazing and so is Stevie but she is heading off to uni this year. We’ve also got some young swimmers who are students themselves with Emre and Matilda. They were juniors at the club and are now some of the older swimmers so they’ve been through the club and know what it’s like so it’s amazing to watch them give back.

“The younger kids really listen to what they have to say and look up to them so it’s great to watch.”

The come and try event will take place next Friday February 2 at the Portland Leisure and Aquatic Centre from 5.30pm to 6.30pm and is an opportunity to see what the club is about.

“It will be in the outdoor pool and the coaches will be there to meet and get to know or ask any questions,” Gorry said.

“We’ll also get in the pool and do a session that shows what you can expect from one of our regular sessions and then a bit of a barbecue afterwards.”

Not only is the club getting local swimmers in the pool, it has showcased Portland as a venue to host meets which has seen the Barwon South West sprint meet scheduled for February 10 at the Portland Leisure and Aquatic Centre where some of the best swimmer in the region will showcase their skills.